Investigating the Effect of Health Education on Changing the Nutritional Awareness and Behaviors of Elementary School Students in Lordegan City

Abstract

Unhealthy nutrition has a significant effect on the occurrence of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, various cancers, diabetes, digestive disorders, various bone and joint diseases. Since the root of most bad health behaviors goes back to childhood experiences, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of health education on changing the awareness and nutritional behaviors of elementary school students. The current research is a quasi-experimental study in which the level of nutritional awareness and performance of students was investigated and compared using a three-part questionnaire (demographic characteristics, awareness and performance) and a direct observation checklist. A number of 89 fifth grade elementary students in Qazvin city in 2014 were selected by cluster sampling method to participate in the research in the case group and 87 were selected for the control group. After the implementation of the health education program for the case group, which was designed by two direct methods (in person and face to face with questions and answers) and indirect methods (using pamphlets and other educational materials) and according to the initial needs assessment, the amount The effect of education on students' knowledge and performance was measured. The findings of the research showed that students' awareness increased from 23.61±21 to 30.62±4.96 and their nutritional performance increased from 13.19±7.08 to 19.98±6.63 (/001 0p<). Also, the results of the study showed the positive effect of the health education program on changing the habit of eating breakfast (p<0.05). According to the results of this study and considering the importance and important role of students as the future platform of the country and the low cost of health education activities compared to other activities in this field, it seems necessary to generalize such education programs and expand them.